9/1/2012

Mike Birbiglia is a very funny comedian who is charming, self-deprecating, and wholesome — but not in a boring way. Here’s a short sample of his comedy from YouTube:

He has a new independent film out called “Sleepwalk with Me,” which is based on his life story. As he explains at the beginning of this trailer, the story is true:

I went to see “Sleepwalk with Me” last night with the kids. (Sadly, Mrs. P. couldn’t make it due to other commitments.) The kids and I loved the movie. The trailer above makes it seem like more of a “chick flick” when I don’t think it really is. It’s really more of a film that centers around Birbiglia’s funny and likeable personality.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but the trailer sums it up well. It weaves strands of Birbiglia’s evolution as a comedian, his doomed relationship with his longtime girlfriend, and his increasingly dangerous sleepwalking disorder.

If you already know Mike Birbiglia and like his comedy — or if you like the YouTube clip above of Birbiglia’s stand-up comedy — you’ll like this movie. When it was over I was ready to watch another 90 minutes of the same stuff.

Last night was a special night because Birbiglia did a Q&A after the movie. He immediately spotted Lauren and Matthew and declared them the youngest kids in the audience. At the end of the Q&A, he called them up on the stage and asked them if they had liked the movie. A couple other kids of similar age joined them. When they answered quietly that they had liked it, Birbiglia immediately declared (in a charming and funny way) that he was not convinced. (Actually, my kids loved the movie — they listen to Birbiglia on “This American Life” and can quote parts of his routines from memory — but they are shy in front of crowds.)

Here is a photo of the moment. Lauren and Matthew are the kids closest to Birbiglia in the picture:

One point Birbiglia made is that, because “Sleepwalk with Me” is an independent film, it essentially has no advertising budget whatsoever. The advertising, such as it is, must be done through word of mouth: Facebook, Twitter, and talking to friends.

(And, I suppose, the occasional blog post, like this one!)

If this movie sounds like something you’d enjoy, go see it tonight. I really think you’ll like it. It’s currently showing in Boston, Washington D.C., Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Columbus, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Madison. I believe it will soon be showing in many more cities in coming days and weeks.

And if you do go see it, take to Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends. And let me know if you think I was right.

Hey Patterico? Guess what kind of guy I was in high school? Glub, glub.

The difference is one of tone. I listened to Whedon and Glass talk, and winced at how they were surely treated in high school. If I had talked that way, bullied as I was in high school, I would have needed to grow gills.

ok me and my friend J we went to see this movie at the landmark the other day it was

not the feel-good movie of the year exactly

but it was charming in its way

I used to barback in a comedy club many many moons ago and a lot of that part rang really sorta true

the guy who used to dj there killed himself shortly after I quit I found out later and my favoritest bartender there lives out here now in san diego where I just visited for the first time this week… I made the phone show me where she was and it was too far to walk or I would’ve

I liked how the movie made you reflect on what it’s like to tell the same jokes over and over and how those jokes can become a representation of the self every bit as much as what results from any other kind of creative act

Just saw it, a 12:45pm Sunday (first) showing, about 60 people. Crowd did not come there on accident, nice to see people come out to support a movie and comedian they really want to see. This is the first movie Mrs. TD and I have enjoyed out in more than two years, we drove 50+ miles to see it, and we dug it.

P.S. – one of the reasons we have given up on movies is the rude and distracting behavior of other patrons. *SPOILER ALERT* – right up front, Birbiglia tells the audience to shut off their cellphones. Thanks, Birbigs, I am your audience!